Wall Charger on Electric Co. Demand Response?

[Northish]

Wondering if anyone has experience with having their wall EVSE/charger connected to a demand response controlled circuit?

Our electricity co-op offers a rate of $0.055/kWh (reduced from $0.098/kWh) and a $500 rebate on any EVSE so long as they can flip the power to the EVSE off during times of high grid load. We're looking to get the Rivian wall charger since it would be $0 with the co-op rebate.

I am not sure how the Rivian charger, or any EVSE for that matter, would handle having power cut off and restored periodically. I did ask Rivian support but they didn't have any documentation on that specific case. They didn't think it would be an issue; basically the EVSE would just reboot when power was restored. So, reaching out to the community as I can't be the only person with an EVSE on a demand response circuit.

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[crashmtb]

Wondering if anyone has experience with having their wall EVSE/charger connected to a demand response controlled circuit?

Our electricity co-op offers a rate of $0.055/kWh (reduced from $0.098/kWh) and a $500 rebate on any EVSE so long as they can flip the power to the EVSE off during times of high grid load. We're looking to get the Rivian wall charger since it would be $0 with the co-op rebate.

I am not sure how the Rivian charger, or any EVSE for that matter, would handle having power cut off and restored periodically. I did ask Rivian support but they didn't have any documentation on that specific case. They didn't think it would be an issue; basically the EVSE would just reboot when power was restored. So, reaching out to the community as I can't be the only person with an EVSE on a demand response circuit.

Since all the important settings are controlled by dip switches, the thing powering off and on probably won’t affect settings.

if it was bad for equipment, they surely wouldn’t offer the program?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Unplanned power outages are inconvenient but a fact of life. If the EVSE can't handle losing power, then it's not a good product.

Barring information from Rivian to the contrary, I'd say you should be fine.

 

[crashmtb]

PS @Northish that $0.055/kWh is a steal! Hydro is very cheap here, but we don’t have variable rates like that.

 

[Andystroh]

Our power company requires certain brands of EVSE to sign up for these programs. Heads up for those of you planning on this. Our wallbox unit did not qualify.

 

[No.92]

Wondering if anyone has experience with having their wall EVSE/charger connected to a demand response controlled circuit?

Our electricity co-op offers a rate of $0.055/kWh (reduced from $0.098/kWh) and a $500 rebate on any EVSE so long as they can flip the power to the EVSE off during times of high grid load. We're looking to get the Rivian wall charger since it would be $0 with the co-op rebate.

I am not sure how the Rivian charger, or any EVSE for that matter, would handle having power cut off and restored periodically. I did ask Rivian support but they didn't have any documentation on that specific case. They didn't think it would be an issue; basically the EVSE would just reboot when power was restored. So, reaching out to the community as I can't be the only person with an EVSE on a demand response circuit.

$0.098/kWh is amazing. I hate PG&E. I'm paying a flat rate of $0.268/kWh

 

[Northish]

Our power company requires certain brands of EVSE to sign up for these programs.

That's a good point. Our power company allows better rates if they can control the EVSE in one of two ways: either you rent one from them that they can control via WiFi/cellular, or you bring your own EVSE and connect it to a controllable circuit. We already have a controllable circuit for thermal energy storage so will go that route with the Rivian charger.

PS @Northish that $0.055/kWh is a steal! Hydro is very cheap here, but we don’t have variable rates like that.

$0.098/kWh is amazing. I hate PG&E. I'm paying a flat rate of $0.268/kWh

Yes, we cannot complain about the energy price here, though I'd pay more if it came from a larger proportion of sustainable energy.

In any case, to "fill" the tank on our Rivian right now from empty it'd cost something like $9.
In contrast, our Honda Fit that costs $43 to fill. ?

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